The Devotional -12

The Devotional

Comment:

Sometimes I find humor in the dictionary, now not just a chuckle but knee slapping laughter! I decided a moment ago to look up the word “ambition” because we will be looking at “selfish ambition” for the next few days and the following definition gave me a fit of laughter, here it is: (1) “a going around” (like “from door to door to get votes”) – (2) a strong desire for fame or power – (3) the thing to be desired. So what is so funny? I was only seeking to know about “ambition” then I was going to look up the word “selfish” but with the definition of ambition selfishness seems to be included. “What a hoot!”

Challenge:

I nearly gave up on my thoughts about “selfish ambition” since the various versions of the Holy Bible do not give a clear understanding in the use of those words. It was not until I decided to look at Psalm 119:36 did I understand what selfish ambition is. In the KJV covetousness is – selfish ambition.

The strife between the flesh and the Spirit is primarily one of coveting one’s lifestyle over the walk of faith. Faith is a sacrifice to God, to give up those things of the flesh that distract or take away fellowship with God. All such distractions are sin, this is easy to say and impossible to do in the flesh and I think that the apostle Paul expresses this clearly in Romans 7:7-12.

We are quick to say “I do not covet anything” therefore this biblical challenge in Romans 7 does not apply to me and I am not a selfish person. I think I will use this time for some other thing today “Oops” did I just covet my time? Well you know “coveting is a thing, a material thing like wanting something someone else has, it is not an intangible thing like time, right? No, that would be wrong!

Time is precious to all of us, we use time in the way of coveting by shaving off minutes from being late for work, or for leaving work early. We spend time on our phones in church texting friends and relatives by coveting idle conversation over a precious bible study. We excuse our presence from church activity for reasons that do not have enough “wind” to blow out a candle. All is vanity, chasing after the wind!

More tomorrow!